Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Elena Schlichting.
Hi Maria Elena, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I have always been a lover of all things related to beauty and skincare. I’m a girly girl! After managing the Laura Mercier counter at Nordstrom for 8 years, and then freelancing for several other well known makeup brands for a couple years after that, I decided to take a step back from the retail world and find something that allowed me to be more present for my family. The timing seemed right since the retail world was drastically changing. People were not walking into the stores as much as they were shopping online, but there was a big disconnect. While women enjoyed the convenience of purchasing their products from home, they also missed that person to person connection they received when going into the store. So I began giving private makeup consultations. As much as I had always loved the products themselves, I found what I loved even more was connecting with women. Being able to help them feel more comfortable with their beauty routine so they feel more confident when they take on the day became my true passion.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Starting your own business is never an easy road. After working in the same space for 10 years, I had built up quite a clientele but then I had to start all over. I am not the most tech savvy person, and I was forced to get comfortable putting myself out there on social media because these days, there really is no other way. But what I found from doing so was women over 40 really wanted and needed my help. Many would tell me they hadn’t had help with their makeup since they got married and had no idea what to do now that they were older and trends have changed, not to mention the changes they now notice in their skin. Others would complain about being talked into products at the store, and then get home and have no idea how to use them. So I decided to get over my fear of putting myself out there, because I knew I could help these women.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I came up with the name “Your Beauty Concierge” because my services go beyond just makeup applications. After being in this business for so many years, not only were people coming to me for help with their makeup, but also advice on who and where to go for any and all beauty related services. I have developed a lot of relationships with other providers in this industry, and I am always happy to give a good reference and send some clients their way, especially when it is another female entrepreneur!
While I certainly love to help clients with makeup for special events and photos, my real specialty is lessons. I offer one on one, as well as small and large group makeup lessons for women of all ages, from tweens to mature ladies :). I start each lesson by learning a little bit about my client and her lifestyle, as well as how much time she truly wants to spend putting on her makeup each day. From there, I customize a daytime routine, with a few extra steps to dress it up for evening, and then I show my client step-by-step how to do it themselves.
I ask my clients to bring in their own makeup and brushes, this way we can start with the products and tools they already own and then fill in the gaps from there. Often times, my clients will come in with products they don’t know how to use or may have mistakenly bought the wrong shade. Going into a makeup store or counter can be very overwhelming these days, even for me as an artist. There are so many different brands and products out there, and it can be hard to know what’s best for you. I do retail many of the products that I love and recommend, which is a service that my clients really appreciate because they know they are getting the right colors and formulas for their skin.
I want to empower women to be able to use their makeup to enhance their natural beauty, as well as lift them up on the days when they aren’t feeling 100%. As a 49-year-old woman myself, I can absolutely relate to the feelings we have when we notice all the changes in our faces as we age. Some days, you don’t like what you see in the mirror and it can really get you down. So knowing how to fill in your brows or create definition with cheek color can really make a difference and help us feel more like ourselves. Nothing makes me happier than getting a text from a client telling me they tried some of my tips and they no longer dread doing their makeup because it makes them feel so good when they do.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The biggest lesson I’ve learned in starting my own business is not to second guess yourself and just go for it. You have to be your biggest cheerleader, because if you don’t believe in what you are doing, no one else will either. My daughters were six and four when I started my business, so they have had a front row seat for all the highs and lows along the way, as well as how I handled them. Showing them how I turned my passion into a business and stuck with it has made them so proud. Their encouragement, along with my very supportive husband, has been invaluable and I hope I’ve shown them how grateful I am by building a brand I truly believe in, while helping so many women along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.myownbeautyconcierge.com/
- Instagram: @mariaelenaschlichting
- Facebook: Maria Elena Schlichting
